Proc. 001-03
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
PROCLAMATION
DESIGNATING THE FOURTH MONDAY IN SEPTEMBER AS
FAMILY DAY - A DAY TO EAT DINNER WITH YOUR CHILDREN
WHEREAS, the use of illegal drugs and the abuse of alcohol and nicotine constitute the
greatest threats to the well-being of America's children;
WHEREAS, surveys conducted by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse
have consistently found that children and teenagers who routinely eat dinner with their families are
far less likely to use illegal drugs, cigarettes and alcohol;
WHEREAS, teenagers who virtually never eat dinner with their families are 72 percent more
likely than the average teenager to use illegal drugs, alcohol and cigarettes;
WHEREAS, teenagers who almost always eat dinner with their families are 31 percent less
likely than the average teenager to use illegal drugs, alcohol and cigarettes;
WHEREAS, the correlation between family dinners and reduced risk for teen substance
abuse are well documented;
WHEREAS, parental influence is known to be one of the most crucial factors in determining
the likelihood of substance abuse by teenagers;
WHEREAS, family dinners have long constituted a substantial pillar of family life in
America;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Govemorrecognizes that eating dinner
as a family is an important step toward raising drug-free children; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the fourth Monday in September shall henceforth be
designated National Family Day - A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children.
ADOPTED this 13th day of August 2003.
\~~~
Richard C. Shickle
Chairman, Board of Supervisors
County of Frederick, Virginia
PROCLAMATION NO.: 001-03
~~~h.
633 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10017-6706
phone 212 841 5200
fax 212 956 8020
www.casacolumbia.Qrg
Board qf Directors
Joseph A. Califano, Jr.
Chairman and President
Lee C. Bollinger
Columba Bush
Kenneth I. Chenault
Jamie Lee Curtis
James Dimon
Peter R Dolan
Mary Fisher
Douglas A. Fraser
Victor F. Ganzi
~-Arthur Kelmenson
jnaJd R. Keough
David A. Kessler, M.D.
Manuel T. Pacheco, Ph.D.
Joseph J. Plumer! IT
E. John Rosenwald, Jr.
Michael P. Schulhof
Louis W. Sullivan, M.D.
John J. Sweeney
Michael A. Wiener
Directors Emerirus
James E. Burke (1992-1997)
Betty Ford (1992-1998)
Barbara C. Jordan (1992-1996)
LaSalle LeffalJ (1992-2001)
Nancy Reagan (1995-2000)
Linda J. Rice (1992-1996)
George Hupp (1993-2002)
Michael J. Sovern (1992-1995)
Frank G. Wells (1992-1994)
The National Center on
Addiction and Substance Abuse
at Columbia University
July 14, 2003
Mr. Richard Shickle
Chair
Frederick County
292 Green Springs Road
Winchester, VA 22603
Dear Mr. Shickle:
The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at
Columbia University asks for your support with Family Day-A Day to Bat
Dinner With Your Children, an initiative that helps to reduce
substance abuse among children and teens throughout America. We are
asking you to issue a proclamation establishing Family Day, the fourth
Monday of every September, to be held on September 22nd in 2003.
Last year, President Bush, thirty-five governors, the mayor of
Washington, D.C. and the mayors of many other cities declared Family
Day. A national effort to promote family dinners as a natural,
effective way to reduce teen substance abuse risk, Family Day is meant
to remind Americans of the value of parental engagement and encourage
them to make family dinners a regular part of their lives.
Research by CASA has consistently found that the more often children
eat dinner with their parents, the less likely they are to smoke, use
illegal drugs or abuse alcohol. Teens from families that almost never
eat dinner together are 72 percent likelier than the average teen to
use illegal drugs, cigarettes and alcohol, while those from families
that almost always eat dinner together are 31 percent less likely than
the average teen to engage in these activities.
For the second year, The Coca-Cola Company is the national sponsor.
With the help of Viacom Outdoor, bus and subway posters will advertise
Family Day in nine major metropolitan areas. National Amusements has
agreed to place Family Day information on over 1,000 movie screens in
12 states. National sponsors include the AFL-CIO, U.S. Chamber of
Commerce, National PTA, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services'
Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Justice's
Drug Enforcement Administration and the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions
of America (CADCA).
For your reference, enclosed is draft language for a proclamation.
please send a copy of the completed one to Family Day, CASA, 633 Third
Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10017.
If you need more information or have questions about Family Day,
please contact me or Jennie Leszkiewicz, our point person on this
project at CASA, at (212) 841-5248.
Sincerely,
~ha'(U;.6~ zr.
Joseph A. Califano, Jr.
~.~lJJlly~Q ay
What is Family Day?
"Family Day--A Day to Eat Dinner With Your Children" is a national effort to promote parental engagement as a
simple, effective way to reduce substance abuse by children and teens and raise healthier children. Family Day
emphasizes the importance of regular family activities in parent-child communication and encourages Americans
to make family dinners a regular feature oftheir lives.
ID 200l, The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University launched
Family Day as an annual event, which takes place on the fourth Monday of each September, the 220d in 2003.
Background
Since 1996, CASA research has consistently shown that the more often a child eats dinner with his family, the
less likely that child is to smoke, drink or use illegal drugs.
. CASA's 1998 Teen Survey found that teens that eat dinner with their parents twice a week or less were
four times more likely to smoke cigarettes, three times more likely to smoke marijuana and nearly twice
as likely to drink as those who ate dinner with their parents six or seven times a week.
. CAS A's 1999 Teen Survey found that teens from families that almost never eat dinner together were 72
percent likelier than the average teen to use illegal drugs, cigarettes and alcohol, while those from families
that almost always eat dinner together were 3l percent less likely than the average teen to engage in these
activities.
Research by other organizations has shown that teens who eat frequent family dinners are less likely than other
teens to have sex at young ages, get into fights or be suspended from school, and are at lower risk for thoughts of
suicide. Frequent family dining is also correlated with doing well in school and developing healthy eating habits.
This pattern holds true regardless of a teen's sex, family structure, and family socioeconomic level.
Family Day 2002 and 2001
ID 2002, President Bush and the governors of the following 35 states and Washington, D.C. issued proclamations
declaring September 23rd, 2002, "Family Day:" Alaska, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii,
lllinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska,
Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma,
Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee,Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming.
Coca-Cola was the first national corporate sponsor. New national sponsors this year include the AFL-CIO,
National PTA, Publix Super Markets IDe., U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for
Children and Families, and U.S. Department of Justice's Drug Enforcement Administration. Numerous state,
local and community groups helped with Family Day 2002.
ID 200l, President Bush and 35 govemors proclaimed the fourth Monday in September "Family Day." Numerous
national organizations endorsed and promoted Family Day, including Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of
America, KidsPeace, the National Family Partnership and the Partnership for a Drug-Free America. Family Day
received a tremendous amount of grassroots support from state and local groups across the country.
Family Day 2003
CASA is again working with the White House, governors, mayors and the above agencies and organizations and new
ones to promote Family Day on September 22, 2003. For the second year, The Coca-Cola Company is a national
sponsor. Bus and subway posters will advertise Family Day in 9 metropolitan areas. National Amusements has agreed
to place a Family Day slide in 1000 movie screens in 12 states running for a period offour weeks.
For more information visit www.casacolumbia.org or email familyday@casacoJumbia.org